Boro chairman Steve Gibson awarded OBE as Queen's Birthday Honours are revealed

Gibson –who helped save Boro from liquidation by forming a consortium in 1986 –is so beloved of fans they set up a Parliamentary petition to get him knighted last month.

While this honour is two steps down from a knighthood, it rewards the commitment he has shown to the club and the town, and his determination for Boro to become a Premiership club once again in the year the area lost thousands of steel industry jobs.

Often low-key, Gibson said he didn't want to comment on the honour today.

Steve Gibson who has been awarded an OBE for services to the Economy, Sport and community on Teesside. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

But Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: "I am absolutely delighted for him. There is no-one who deserves this more than Steve.

"He is an incredible ambassador for Middlesbrough and Teesside. 

"I have no doubt he will be quite understated about this – he does shun the limelight – but everyone in this area knows that his determination to succeed and get Middlesbrough back in the Premier League has been incredible.

"He is treasured and valued by thousands of people across this area. There really is only one Steve Gibson."

Gibson's international transport company, Bulkhaul, has its headquarters in Middlesbrough, and he developed Rockliffe Hall at Hurworth into a £50m hotel, spa and golf course.

The 58-year-old self-made millionaire was brought up in the Park End area of Middlesbrough and became the town's youngest ever Labour councillor aged 21.

Two years later he set up Bulkhaul, transporting liquids, powders and gases for chemical companies.

As a lifelong Middlesbrough fan, attending matches with Sky Sports match summariser Chris Kamara at Ayresome Park, he joined the board as the club's youngest director at the age of 26, later forming the consortium which saved it, and taking over as chairman in 1994.

Under his tenure Boro left Ayresome Park to the new all-seater Riverside Stadium.

Last year, as the Redcar steelworks collapsed, Gibson called Northern PO

owerhouse Minister "an absolute clown" for not doing more to save them. Since then the club's charitable foundation has been helping the large numbers of unemployed on Teesside.

Mr McDonald added: "He is of the area and understands it perhaps better than most.

"Middlesbrough is a unique football club, with the people who follow it having a real sense of place and shared culture. Steve gets that fully and that is why the fans love him. We are blessed to have him and he thoroughly deserves this honour."

ANT & DEC AWARDED OBE

Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly have both been awarded an OBE for services to Broadcasting and Entertainment. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

TELEVISION duo Ant and Dec have heralded their OBEs as the achievement their "mams" will be proudest of.

The pair - voted the nation's favourite presenters in the National Television Awards 2016 - have been together for 26 years.

They described their inclusion on the Queen's Birthday Honours list as a shock, saying they were grateful to have been recognised for services to broadcasting and entertainment.

Ant and Dec said: "We are just two ordinary lads from the west end of Newcastle.

"We hope us receiving this honour can inspire young people to chase their dreams and believe that anything is possible.

"This will definitely be the proudest our mams have ever been."

The pair added: "We are both shocked, but incredibly honoured to receive OBEs.

"We absolutely love what we do and have done since we started out aged 13."

The Geordie duo added that they are "passionate" about what they do and were especially honoured to host both The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration and the 40 Years of the Prince's Trust documentary.

They continued: "What we do also allows us to work with some amazing charities that really do make a difference.

"2016 has been a fantastic year so far, and we're so grateful for all the support we receive."

The double-act found fame in 1990s BBC One children's drama Byker Grove, had a short career pop career as their characters PJ & Duncan, and went on to present shows like Pop Idol, Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain's Got Talent.

FORMER ENGLAND AND NEWCASTLE UNITED STRIKER ALAN SHEARER AWARDED CBE

ALAN Shearer (pictured above) was awarded a CBE for his services to charities in the North-East.

Among the causes supported by the 45-year-old is the Alan Shearer Centre in Newcastle, providing leisure activities and respite care for profoundly disabled adults and children as well as establishing the Alan Shearer Academy Scholarship.

He is also a dedicasted supporter of the NSPCC, Sport Relief, Soccer Aid and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, of which he is a patron.

GYM CLUB SUPREMO AWARDED MBE

A FORMER PE teacher who set up a gold medal winning gymnastics club has received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Karl Wharton, director of Deerness Gymnastics Academy, at Ushaw Moor, near Durham, is one of hundreds of people being recognised alongside stars of sport and showbusiness for their contribution to public life.

The 53-year-old, from Castleside, near Consett, was honoured for his outstanding service to gymnastics.

Mr Wharton, who is on the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Committee, said: “I have a great passion and love for the sport and this is a very great honour and one I have never dreamed of receiving. I am still really shocked, surprised and really, really honoured.

“This honour is not only for me but more so for the hundreds of volunteers, gymnasts, coaches, parents and supporters of Deerness Gymnastics Academy who have worked so hard at keeping the club open and also helping develop happy, healthy and confident children whose life opportunities and choices have been expanded because of their involvement in gymnastics.”

Thirty years ago, as a PE teacher, Mr Wharton started a gymnastics club at Deerness Valley Comprehensive School in Ushaw Moor, where, with his support and commitment, his pupils became elite gymnasts who represented their country within two years and first won an international gold medal in 1991.

The club produced its first World Champions in 1995. 

Mr Wharton has inspired, coached and developed hundreds of gymnasts, over 100 have represented Great Britain, winning over 80 medals and there have been a total of fifteen World and European champions. 

He is a respected international coach, judge and administrator and has served on the sport's international governing body since 2009, ensuring that Great Britain has representation and influence at the highest levels in the sport. 

He currently works as a senior lecturer and programme leader for the BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching degree at Northumbria University having formerly written and run the MSc Sport Coaching Programme, and is still a volunteer director at the academy.

Mr Wharton said: “The sport of acrobatic gymnastics has developed greatly over the past few years and it has been a privilege to have been part of this development and success at a local, national and international level.”

LONG-SERVING HEADTEACHER IS HONOURED

A HEADTEACHER in the region whose career spans 38 years was awarded an OBE.

Andy Brown, from Stokesley, has been headteacher at West View Primary School in Hartlepool for over 20 years and his career in education has also seen him teach in schools in Marske-by-the-Sea, Guisborough and Middlesbrough.

Andy Brown

The married father-of-two, who was brought up in Darlington, is a National Leader of Education and was recently appointed Chief Executive of Ad Astra Academy Trust which will encompass three Hartlepool schools and one in Stockton-on-Tees.

The 59-year-old also undertakes consultancy work on behalf of the Department of Education and is Co-Director of Transforming Tees - a joint project involving the five Tees Valley local authorities.

Mr Brown is a former pupil at Eastbourne Comprehensive School and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington. He is also a lifelong Darlington Football Club fan and shareholder.

Chris Simmons, chair of Governors at West View Primary School and a fellow trustee of Ad Astra Academy Trust said: “Andy Brown has been an inspirational leader at West View Primary School which has resulted in the school becoming a beacon of care and learning.

“I would like to congratulate him on being appointed an OBE which he truly deserves.”

Mr Brown said: “I am very proud and honoured to be made an OBE. However, this award is not just for me; it’s also for the many great people who I have worked with over the years in helping to deliver the best possible education and support to thousands of children."

EDUCATION SPECIALIST 'OVERWHELMED' BY OBE

AN EDUCATION specialist awarded the OBE said he "felt a little weepy" when he opened the letter telling him he had been named on the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Mark White, who is the chair designate of Stockton Riverside College, visiting fellow of Teesside University and chair of Darlington School of mathematics and science, has been recognised for four decades of dedication to the region - "particularly in Teesside".

Mark White

Mr White said he immediately thought of his late father and brother and couldn't help but think of how proud they would have been.
"I felt quite overwhelmed and even a little weepy when I opened the letter," he said.

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, he arrived in Teesside in 1976, an 18-year-old Social Sciences student of the-then Teesside Polytechnic. 
He said: “I thought I would be here for three years and then go back, but before I knew it 40 years had flown by.”

He only left the university earlier this year when he retired as head of the Vice Chancellor's Office and secretary of the board of governors.
“Teesside got into my blood,” he said. “It has been great to me and, while it might sound like a cliché, I try to give something back.”

Alongside his day job he has volunteered for countless schools, charities, community groups and professional organisations.

He has also held national roles such as being Chair of the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Governors’ Council, AoC Board member and a director of the Education and Training Foundation, and was made a deputy lieutenant of County Durham earlier this year.

HONOUR FOR PHOENIX HOUSE PHYSIO

AN INSPIRATIONAL character has received a British Empire Medal for helping hundreds of seriously injured servicemen and women achieve physical goals they never thought possible.

According to those he works with, Mark Airey is capable of motivating “anyone he meets” but the 47-year-old from Melsonby, near Richmond, has been honoured for his work in helping veterans achieve seemingly impossible goals.

Mark Airey

As strength and conditioning coach at Phoenix House, the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre at Catterick Garrison, he helps everyone achieve their potential. 

In 2011 he inspired and trained a group of 15 injured or sick service personnel to compete in the Iron Man UK triathlon, which involved a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 mile cycle and 26 mile run. 

Melanie Dickinson, executive officer at Phoenix House said: “He’s done that and done that virtually every year since.”

In September Mark, who has also worked at the Help for Heroes centre at Hedley Court, will be taking relay teams on the Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge, an ultra-distance triathlon that will involves running from London’s Marble Arch to Dover, swimming the channel and then cycling from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe.

It has never been attempted by a disabled team before and will also be the first all-female team to compete.

Mark has also helped train veterans for the Invictus Games.

Melanie said: “He motivates everyone he meets, within half an hour of meeting him he’ll have you signed up to a marathon. 

“He’s made a massive amount of different to so many of the guys and girls we support in such a huge way, giving them the self-confidence and self-belief and that feeling they can do things that they never thought possible.

“Our mission is to Inspire, Enable and Support; he absolutely embodies all of it. He’s remarkable.”

FOUNDER OF LEARNING DISABILITY WORKSHOP RECEIVES MBE

BARRIE Evason, from Ripon, North Yorkshire, has been awarded an MBE “for establishing Jennyruth Workshops, a place of work for people who have learning disabilities”.

Jennyruth Workshops, based at Bridge Hewick near Ripon, provides a productive workshop for adults with learning disabilities to gain work and life skills from making and selling a wide range of everyday products.

Barrie Evason (centre, in red) with learning disabled colleagues and staff from Jennyruth Workshops

He originally set up the workshops in 1989 to provide something for his son Jonathan, who was born with Down's syndrome, to do when he left school.  

Not content with his son attending somewhere where he would simply be ‘looked after’, Barrie and Jonathan set up a small craft business where the two made mainly wooden toys to begin with, and sold them at craft fairs.

Barrie believes that both the making and the selling provided Jonathan with dignity in his life.

‘Jennyruth Workshops’ is named after Jennifer Ruth, one of the five children with Down’s that Barrie and his wife Sue have adopted over the years.  

Jennifer sadly died aged 6 months but the other five children, now aged between 31 and 52, became the founding members of Jennyruth Workshops.

As they reached school leaving age each of them wanted to join their brother and be part of the workshops - and today they all still attend the workshops up to five days a week.  

With all the children working together and enjoying it so much, Barrie and his family realised that they had something that would be worth sharing.

Other families obviously agreed because, in the 13 years since Barrie set it up, Jennyruth Workshops has gone from strength to strength and now supports around 30 adults with learning disabilities, making a wide range of hand crafted wooden, sewn and metal gifts, from toys and games to household and garden products.

Barrie said: “I was just the one who had the idea.

“Many people, some with professional skills, some very good DIY-ers, and many who were just prepared to come along and give us their support in any number of ways, are responsible for that initial idea coming to fruition.

“I’m only sorry I can’t cut up the award and give them all a piece, but whenever any of them see the letters MBE after my name I hope they will take it as their reward, too.

“I did what I wanted to do, and my reward is seeing the wonderful place we have, where people who have learning disabilities can come to gain skills, use those skills, and live a rewarding life.”

To find out more about Jennyruth Workshops, buy their goods online or find out how you can donate or volunteer, visit www.jennyruth.co.uk, phone (01765) 606620 or e-mail info@jennyruth.co.uk

LINDA COPELAND, of Sacriston, County Durham

The Executive Officer, Change and Engagement Team at the Home Office receives a BEM for public service and service to the community in Durham

The 64-year-old joined HM Passport Office 14 years ago and is currently a manager with the Change and Engagement Team in North East Operations.

She began her voluntary work in 1990 at a local college and was involved in providing support for adult students with learning difficulties and those without qualifications.

She supported classes of approximately 12 students, once a week, for over two years, often providing one to one support and coaching for those with really urgent needs.

Some of these students, who ranged in age from late teens to mid forties, lacked the most basic literacy skills and she assessed their needs and provided them with the basic reading skills.

She went on to complete a teaching qualification in Word Processing and taught this skill on Tuesday evenings at a local school.

Whilst working for HM Passport Office she has worked tirelessly to improve the health and well being of her colleagues. She has organised awareness sessions and visits from charitable organisations and has promoted Better Health in the workplace.

In 2012 she volunteered to be part of a Durham County Health Improvement Team who assisted the NHS with Talk about Cancer.

JEAN JOHNSON of Carrville, Durham

The 79-year-old has received a BEM for services to education as a voluinteer at Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School, Durham.

Mrs Johnson has worked at the school for over 45 years and is currently a daily volunteer, a role she has undertaken for the last 15 years.

Before this she was the school secretary. She has become a respected school representative and is admired by peers for her determined approach to doing the best for the school.

She still volunteers in the school office and has a wide impact on school life, responsible for many school roles and taking ownership of important aspects of school life such as the lunch fund.

She has also supported vulnerable families over the last 45 years by ensuring they receive the school related benefits for which they are entitled to 

DAVID JAMES CARR, of Morpeth Northumberland

The 53-year-old shopkeeper has been honoured with a BEM for his services to the community in Longframlington.

Since 1974 he has provided an unfailing and cheerful service from his tiny but comprehensively stocked corner shop. It also acts as a village chemist, holding dispensed prescriptions from the GP surgery until they can be collected.

He is also the unofficial and unpaid post office and parcel collecting point for almost the whole community and continues to be a one man delivery service for the elderly and disabled, delivering their provisions and checking on their wellbeing and providing welcome social interaction and company.

There is also a dry-cleaning service and he even organises the village Christmas tree. The annual village show is heavily supported by his shop, as are many other village and community events throughout the year.

For many years he has been a constant weekly volunteer and visitor to the patients in St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle and has been a member of the Round Table which organises lunches and other events for the elderly.

CAROLE CATCHPOLE of Morpeth, Northumberland

The 71-year-old is the founder of the Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue Trust and receives a BEM for services to the Protection of Hedgehogs

She has made a huge difference in caring for hedgehogs and educating the general public in their care and preservation.

It started in the mid-1990s when she found injured hedgehogs wandering in her garden and looked after them until they were fit to be released.

She sought advice from wildlife organisations and vets and educated herself in their habitat and needs. She was shocked to find out how much the population was declining, so transformed her garden into a hedgehog-friendly site using second-hand rabbit hutches, turning her garage into a rescue centre, funding everything herself, including food, electricity (for heat pads), medication and vet fees.

She single-handedly took care of the hedgehogs for 12 years and then persuaded friends to help with daily tasks. She needed more volunteers, so she advertised in veterinary surgeries and local shops.

This led to an expansion of the centre. She gives opportunities to students to gain work experience and has given talks to schools, Brownies, Guides and the WI as well as welcoming vulnerable adults.

She set up Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue Trust in 2011 and registered it as a charity in 2013. It is the only rescue centre dedicated to hedgehogs.

PASTOR THOMAS LEIGHTON  of Newcastle                     

The 75-year-old has been awarded a BEM for services to the community.

He has made a significant contribution to the local communjity of Elswick, serving as a pastor at Prudhoe Street Mission from 1974.

In 1997 was awarded the Paul Harris award from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for his work in the community.

Since retiring as pastor in 2012, he became a Trustee of Prudhoe Street Mission Foundation, a new charity.

He quickly saw a niche to assist organisations with applying for grants to help support local residents in Newcastle.

Throughout 2014 and 2015 he continued in his service as an active member of the church, speaking at over 30 preaching appointments and men's breakfast meetings and he continues to lead Bible teaching sessions.

He provides counselling sessions once a month to support residents. He has served as a regular prison and borstal visitor, to running a successful youth club at Brunswick Methodist Church for over 10 years and establishing the Westgate Hall football team.

He was a Justice of Peace between 1976 and 1996.

GLENISS MCNEAL of Beldington, Northumberland

The 73-year-old receives a BEM for voluntary services to Heritage in Northumberland

Mrs McNeal has volunteered for the National Trust for over 20 years and looks for ways to improve her performance in her duties at Cragside in Northumberland.

She is passionate about the historic collections in the house and has, over several winter seasons, helped the house team with their annual winter clean.

She also volunteers with the Bereavement Service linked to Cancer Macmillan in Northumberland.

JOYCE MEYNELL of Newcastle

SHE has been awarded a BEM for services to Children and Families

The 74-year-old became a foster carer in 1986 and over the last 28 years has fostered children of various ages, siblings, and some with challenging behavioural issues.

She has been instrumental in supporting many of her fostered children into adoption or to move back home safely, including children with particularly challenging medical needs requiring 24 hour care.

Many of her fostered children drop in for visits to catch up with her and she has supported and mentored other foster carers.

SARA DAVIES of Billingham

THE founder of Crafter's Companion, has been awarded an MBE for services to the economy.

The 32-year-old set up the company to sell products to hobbyists making their own cards and envelopes.

Her business, which has its headquarters in Coundon, County Durham, now employs 74 people in Britain and 22 in America.

Sales reached £15m last year, £11m of that in Britain.

Sara Davies

She devised the Enveloper, a device for making envelopes to measure. After working out the concept, she approached Business Link for advice about patents, and launched the product at the TV shopping channel Ideal World.

In just three months she sold 30,000 units, after which point the profits were re-invested in tooling to make them in plastic and she chose a local company in Hexham to produce it.

The success of Crafter’s Companion has seen her win a string of awards including the UK Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award, the Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year award, Shell Women of the Future Award for Entrepreneur of the Year and an international Stevie Award for Women in Business.

ROBERT JOHN ELDRIDGE of Corbridge, Northumberland

The 68-year-old is Chairman of Trustees of The People’s Kitchen and receives an MBE for services to homeless people in the North-East

Mr Eldridge works as a volunteer for The People’s Kitchen and as a participant in its fundraising activities. It plays a unique role in the city’s efforts to meet the needs of homeless and vulnerable people.

As Chairman of Trustees he has almost singlehandedly ensured that the charity has grown with demand. He negotiated the purchase of the present site and put the charity on a secure financial footing as well as raising the profile of the charity in the North-East.

Through his determination and drive the Your Futures project got off the ground in 2011. The project works with outside professional agencies to help disadvantaged people improve their lives. The number of people using The Kitchen has increased by 40 per cent over the past six years.

The People’s Kitchen is now highly respected and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2014.

JAYNE GRAHAM of Gateshead                                         

THE acclaimed business coach founded 20:20 Consulting in 2004 and has been awarded an MBE for services to small businesses in the North-East.

A former Chief Executive of Business Link County Durham, the 51-year-old aims to help small businesses through clear focus and high impact communication.

Aware that the self-employed can find it quite isolating, in 2010 she opened Colleagues on Tap (CoT) as a way to link people. CoT has grown from a single venue monthly meet-up to a community of 300+ businesses coming together at nine venues across the North East.

She instigated co-working days and over 5 years hosted 151 days across the North East.

She expanded the service to include an online Colleague Finder Directory and her highly praised Coffee Chat Coaching Sessions geared to help people make contacts, develop themselves and their company’s.

In 2013 she led a research project, producing a report for the NE Rural Growth Network on home based businesses. She is a member of the parents forum at Joseph Swan Academy and was a governor at Kells Lane Primary School.   

FREDA GRIFFIN of Stockton 

The Head of Care of Residential Provision at Horizons Specialist Academy, Thornaby, has been awarded an MBE for services to education and young people with complex learning needs

The 61-year-old has been inj her current position at the school for 13 years. The residential side of Westlands provides accommodation for people with social and emotional difficulties, and associated learning difficulties.

Westlands School caters for approximately 100 boys and girls who often arrive with behavioural problems.

Her dedication and commitment is incredible with many of these children going on to live positive and productive lives.

She supports children through patience and kindness, providing them with coping strategies and teaching them to respect themselves and others but most importantly, provides them with boundaries which help them feel safe.

She is highly regarded in this field and has been asked to speak at major conferences in the North-East.

She has made a huge contribution towards the development of safeguarding procedures and practices across the school. She also supports the families by running management courses.

Her wider service includes being asked to sit on child protection and mental health panels. Her work has led to the residential facility going beyond respite to becoming an integral part of the life skills developed by the children attending Westlands.

CHERYL DIXON of Middlesbrough                                           

THE 32-year-old has been awarded the BEM for voluntary service to the community in North Ormesby.

Miss Dixon is a shining example of a community unsung hero. She noticed  local services were not necessarily providing the correct level of support to struggling families, especially those who were isolated.

She began volunteering by taking a suitcase of toys round the neighbourhood for children to play with and regularly welcomed families into her home.

She also encourages parents to widen their horizons, attend courses, visit new places and develop new skills.

She recently took 58 parents and children to Scarborough, who without her would not have had that opportunity. She encourages families to work within the community to improve the environment to create space for children to play.

Miss Dixon is currently renovating a piece of land to develop a play area, after residents complained about children playing football on the streets near their properties.

She volunteers every week at her local foodbank and works alongside numerous agencies including schools, police, health visitors and Trinity Church and staff. She also encourages families to save in local credit unions.

VIVIENNE LESLEY HALL of Knaresborough

THE Principal of Studio 3 Dance Workshop has been awarded a BEM for services to community cance and the community in the town.

Over the last 30 years, thye 59-year-old has taught generations of young people to dance at affordable price.

In 2012, her dance troupe performed at the Olympic Torch relay. At the Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire in 2014, she choreographed and organised a clever and memorable dance routine staged in Harrogate’s market square.

Each year, she organises her dance show, Dance Krazy, raising over £3,000 in 2015.

Usually held in the Royal Hall in Harrogate, she contributed funds towards the building’s repair.

Her influence in the community is wide ranging, from her involvement in supporting her pupils, the Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts (FEVA), and the Knaresborough Allotment Association.

Each year she runs a Scarecrow Festival that promotes the allotment organisation, enabling visitors to learn about the produce grown and generate income for the group.

Other beneficiaries of her charitable work include St Michael’s Hospice, Knaresborough Hearing Dogs, Cancer Research, Yorkshire Wildlife, Knaresborough’s Orb Community Arts and Corinna Young Homeless and Vulnerable Project.

DR PETER NICHOLAS TREWBY of Richmond

THE 69-year-old is a Consultant Physician in General Medicine and Gastroenterology at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and has been awarded an MBE for  services to medicine and medical education

A medical innovator, he has pioneered new approaches of medical practice and procedures, pulling together different disciplines of medicine with the intention of benefitting patients.

He has delivered road shows recruiting Trusts and Deaneries to identify spare training capacity and has encouraged international medical graduates to come to the UK for training.

Dr Trewby has also ensured that examinations accord to national standards both in the UK and overseas.

This led to his appointment as Associated International Director at the Medical College.

He is the Founder and Chair of the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee, Audit Committee and the Ethics Committee.

He is deeply involved in the Crohn’s and Colitis Charity, both as a physician and a fundraiser and is a long serving Chairman of the Consultant Awards Committee.

As a member of the Association of Physicians, he developed and expanded a journal that over decades facilitated the career of numerous junior doctors. In 2008, he received the National British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin award for services to overseas doctors.

He has over 50 published works and over 10 published communications to Learned Societies.

ROGER STANTON of Harrogate

MR Stanton has been awarded an MBE for services to the World War II Escape Lines Memorial Society, which he founded.

The charity was set up in 1990 to commemorate the hundreds of people who bravely carried out a range of daring missions throughout Europe and the Far East.

It organises for veterans and their families to retrace the main wartime escape routes through Europe.

The 69-year-old meticulously plans these routes to help ensure a seamless experience for all those involved.

It also gives veterans an opportunity to lay wreaths and flowers in memory of their friends who sacrificed their lives for the cause.

His pioneering research has also led to the establishment of the first ever museum dedicated to the Escape Lines at Eden Camp near York.

It forms part of a unique set of displays about WWII, in the setting of a former Prisoner of War camp for German prisoners. The charity produces a newsletter and offers a range of services including an educational pack that is used in schools, colleges and universities in the UK and Europe.

He has also organised the construction of two permanent memorials to the helpers of the escape lines, one at the Eden Camp, and the other at the National Memorial Arboretum. He has worked continuously to ensure that the brave individuals of the escape lines and their stories are recorded for future generations.

ISHBEL HERD of York

THE 58-year-old has been awarded an MBE for services to education and young people

For over 30 years Ms Herd has dedicated both her career and personal time to improving the life of others through teaching music and the arts in schools and the wider York community.

She took up her first post at Derwent Secondary Modern in the early 1980s before becoming the Head of Music at Lowfield School. 

Lowfield is one of the most disadvantaged secondary schools in England but despite the challenges this offers she successfully managed to engage many pupils into activities they would not normally volunteer for, including dance, theatre, drama and music.

Her ability to engage and inspire even the most hard to reach children made her a role model for many teachers starting out in the profession, some of which she happily mentored.

In 2000 she received the City of York long service award. In 2007 she joined York High School as their Assistant Headteacher.

During each of these teaching assignments she won both the admiration and respect of her peers and pupils. As well as her professional work she has organised a wide array of charitable events.

These events have included both the students and members of the Shipton Musical Theatre Company at which she has had a long association. Shortly after retirement she also co-founded the York Mini Musicians.

LISTS IN FULL

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

Professor Douglass Matthew Turnbull. Professor of Neurology, Newcastle University. For services to Health Care Research and Treatment particularly Mitochondrial Disease. (Tyne and Wear)

ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER

MVO

Mrs Linda Elder-Atterton. Deputy Clerk to the Lieutenancy of Tyne and Wear.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

CBE

Alan Shearer, OBE, DL. For charitable services to the community in North East England. (Ponteland, Tyne and Wear)

Ian Wright. Programme director, Universal Credit Programme, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to DWP and to the community. (Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear)

OBE

Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly. Presenter. For services to Broadcasting and Entertainment. (London)

Stephen Gibson. Founder and chairman, Bulkhaul, and owner, Middlesbrough Football Club. For services to the Economy, Sport and community in Teesside. (Kilburn, North Yorkshire)

Tim Mazzucchi. Universal Credit Implementation manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Welfare Reform and voluntary service to Young People in Tynemouth. (North Shields, Tyne and Wear)

Anthony David McPartlin. Presenter. For services to Broadcasting and Entertainment. (London)

Paul Malcolm Stonebanks. Managing director, AIS Group. For services to Manufacturing and Skills in the Offshore and Renewable Sectors. (North Shields, Tyne and Wear)

Terence Watkin. For services to the Trades Union Movement. (Sunderland, Tyne and Wear)

Mark Steven White. For services to Education particularly in Teesside.

MBE

Mrs Margaret Burns, JP. Contact Centre manager, Peterlee Contact Centre, HM Revenue and Customs, Peterlee. For services to Benefit Recipients and to the community in Tyne and Wear. (Sunderland, Tyne and Wear)

Mrs Jayne Graham. Founder and consultant, 20:20 Consulting and Founder, Colleagues on Tap. For services to Small Businesses in the North East of England. (Gateshead, Tyne and Wear)

David Hodgson. For services to the Voluntary Sector and community in North Tyneside. (North Shields, Tyne and Wear)

Mrs Emma O'Connor. Foster Carer, Sunderland City Council. For services to Children and Families. (Sunderland, Tyne and Wear)

Thomas Alfred O'Connor. Foster Carer, Sunderland City Council. For services to Children and Families. (Sunderland, Tyne and Wear)

Andrew Leslie Scott. Policy Lead for Stability Load Line and Tonnage, Maritime and Coastguard Agency. For services to the Shipping Industry. (Tyne and Wear)

Keith Watson. Universal Credit Implementation manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Welfare Reform and to charity. (Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear)

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

BEM

Miss Cheryl Dixon. For voluntary service to the community in North Ormesby Middlesbrough. (Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire)

Pastor Thomas Leighton. For services to the community in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear)

Mrs Joyce Meynell. Foster Carer, Newcastle City Council. For services to Children and Families. (Newcastle, Tyne and Wear)

Thomas James Paterson. Retained Firefighter, Cleveland Fire Brigade. For services to Fire Safety and the community in Saltburn, North Yorkshire. (Saltburn, North Yorkshire)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

CBE

Ms Elizabeth Anne Horne. Chief executive Officer Horizons Specialist Academies Trust, Stockton. For services to Education. (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham)

OBE

Andrew Appleton Brown. Headteacher West View Primary School, Hartlepool. For services to Education. (Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire)

MBE

Mrs Sara Davies. Founder, Crafters Companion. For services to the Economy. (Billingham, Durham)

Mrs Freda Griffin. Head of Care of Residential Provision, Horizons Specialist Academy, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees. For services to Education and Young People with Complex Learning Difficulties. (Stockton on Tees, Durham)

Mrs Audrey Elizabeth Sutcliffe. Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Outwood Academy, Acklam. For services to Safeguarding Children. (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham)

Mrs Wendy Stuart Taylor, JP. Volunteer, HM Prison Durham, HM Prison Holme House, HM Prison Kirklevington Grange and HM Prison Frankland. For voluntary services to the Administration of Justice. (Durham)

Dr Peter Nicholas Trewby. Consultant Physician in General Medicine and Gastroenterology, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Medicine and Medical Education. (Richmond, North Yorkshire)

Karl Wharton. Director, Deerness Gymnastics Academy. For services to Gymnastics. (Castleside, Durham)

William Woodhead. Councillor, Stockton on Tees Council. For services to Local Government and the community in Stockton on Tees. (Stockton on Tees, Durham)

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

BEM

Mrs Linda Copeland. Executive Officer, Change and Engagement Team, Home Office. For public service and service to the community in Durham. (Sacriston, Durham)

Mrs Jean Johnson. Volunteer, Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School, Durham. For services to Education. (Carville, Durham)

Mrs Audrey Stringer. For services to Young People in Burnopfield, Co Durham. (Burnopfield, Durham)

Edward Stringer. For services to Young People in Burnopfield Co Durham. (Burnopfield, Durham)